Russia's Maxim Mikhaylov spikes as his side see off Japan in their opening 2011 FIVB Volleyball World League match

Lausanne, Switzerland, May 27, 2011 – Poland pulled off a straight sets win over Olympic champions USA as Italy and Russia also registered victories on the opening day of the 2011 FIVB Volleyball World League on Friday.

The European champions needed just under 90 minutes to seal a 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-19) victory over their Pool A rivals as Bartosz Kurek scored 23 points to lead the scorers at the end of the first day.

Match won
3-0 or 3-1: 3 points for the winner, 0
point for the loserMatch won 3-2: 2 points
for the winner, 1 point for the loserIn case of tie, the teams will be classified according to the following
criteria: number of matches won, sets ratio and points ratio